Rifle target



C. REID.

mm: TARGET. APPLICATION FILED MAYB. 1918,

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0. REID.

mm TARGET. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. \9l8.

1,304,602. Patented May 27,1919.

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UNITED STATES CHARLES REID, OF

DUBLIN, IRELAND.

RIFLE-TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May-27, 1919.

Application filed May 6, 1918. Serial No. 232,993. g

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES REID, a sub- .ject of the King of Great-Britain, residing at Dublin, Ireland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rifle-Targets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rifle targets and more particularly to improvements in targets of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 891,566, granted June 23, 1908.

This invention utilizes the same general principles that are embodied in the rifle target of my prior patent above referred to. It includes the same general arrangement of v a pair of rifle targets supported in balanced arrangement by two pairs of parallel side bars, which are centrally and pivotally supported. In the construction shown in my prior patent, however, each pair of parallel side bars are connected together, and to the opposite sidebars, by the targets themselves, so that the latter constitute an essential part of the parallel motion linkage. As soon as a target is disconnected from its supporting side bars, the connecting means, whereby the side bars were constrained to swing in parallelism, disappears. Thus, although it is possible, according to my prior patent, to remove the target frames from the supporting parallel motion linkage, this cannot be done without temporarily destroying the linkage itself since the targets-'constituted an essential part thereof. Moreover, the removal of the target frames, according to my prior patent, could not be effected with that degree of convenience and rapidity which is desirable for efficiency in operation.

This invention then has for one object to provide in rifle target construction of the type described oppositely disposed pairs of pivotally supported parallel motion linkages, which are constrained to swing in parallism by means entirely independent of the target frames, and devices whereby the latter may be supported for rapid and convenient removal and replacement from said means, the latter being preferably adjustable to accommodate targets of varying widths.

Another object of the invention is to pro. vide in a rifle target construction of the type described, an improved target frame comprising side and cross-bars which are removably connected by interlocking means, in such a manner that. they may berapidly and packed into small compass.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a rifle target, generally simplified and specifically improved mechanical structure.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and the appended claims.

The invention will be disclosed with referconveniently assembled or collapsed and ence to the accompanying drawings,

showing the means for locking the side bars to their axles;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view showing the manner of mounting the upper axle in its support;

Figs. 5 and 5 are elevational views at right angles of the links by means of which the side bars are constrained to swing in parallelism and the target frames are removably supported;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one form of the target frame Figs. 6 and 6 are views at right angles showing the corner construction of the frame shown in Fig. .6;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the mid portion of one of the side bars of the target frame and shows a modification in the manner of mounting the pivot pins thereon;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view showing the preferred construction of the target frame for collapsing purposes; 7

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of one of the side bars shown in Fig. 7,

Figs. 7 and 7 are enlarged elevational enlarged fragmentary I and end views respectively of one end of one 7 of the cross-bars shown in Fig. 7;

Figs. 7 'and 7 are enlarged elevational.

views taken at right angles and showing the lower end of one of the side bars shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. of one corner of the frame shown in Fig. 7

and shows a cross-bar and side-bar in assembled relation;

7 is an enlarged fragmentary view Fig. 1 is a sectional view of Fig. 7 showing the retaining pin by meansof which the side and cross-bars are held in assembled relation;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a preferred means for retaining the side bars on their axles; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the retaining means shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to these drawings and more par ticularly to Figs. 1 and 1; there are provided a pair of spaced parallel upright supports Z in which the ends of two axles c are suitably mounted. The axles e, which extend transversely between the uprights Z, are arranged substantially in the same vertical plane and are spaced one from the other longitudinally of the uprights Z. In order to avoid the necessity of providing. trans: verse tie bars to hold the two uprights Z in properly spaced relation and to prevent spreading thereof, one of the axles 0, preferably the upper one, is provided adjacent its ends with circumferential grooves h, which, as best shown in Fig. i, engage in the slotted upper ends of the uprights Z and effectually hold them in properly spaced-relation.

Mounted on the upper axle 0 in axially spaced relation, are a pair of arms a and similarly mounted on the lower axle c are a pair of arms Z). The arms a and b are connected to the axles 0 substantially at the midportions of the arms, so that each of the latter is substantially balanced on its axle. The means for connecting the arms a and b to their respective axles 0 are best shown in Figs. 3 and 3 and will now be described with reference to one of the arms a, the other arms being connected to the axles in a similar manner. The axles 0, except for their bearing portions in the uprights Z, are of square crosssectional shape and slidable on the squared portion of each axle are brackets (Z Each of the latter may be removably held in various positions of axial adjustment on its axle 0 by bolts 9 which are adapted to engage in any of a plurality of notches 9 provided in the axles. The bracket (Z may be held to its arm a by bolts and wing nuts 6 and e, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 3 the bolts preferably engaging in suitable slots in the bracket (Z as indicated to facilitate rapid and convenient attachment of the bracket. The latter preferably has an outwardly projecting flange f which overlies a part of the wing nut e and thereby prevents displacement of the bracket d relatively to arm a. I

It will be seen that the arms a and Z2 may be held to their axles in various positionsof axial adjustment. This is desirable to. prevent disengagement of the target frames from the arms a and 72 and to accommodate target frames of varying widths. Each target frame 2' has on each side edge thereof two pivots j which are spaced one from another by a: distance equal to that between the axles 0. The target frames 6 fit between the pairs of arms a, a, and I), b, and the upper pivots j engage in holes near the ends of arms a and the lower pivots j in holes nearthe ends of arms 6. Thus, the arms a and b are constrained by the target frames to swing in parallelism. The target frames 6 are located onopposite ends of arms a and b and are equally spaced from the axles a, so that they balance one another.

The structure thus far described is constructed substantiallyin accordance with my prior patent except for the provision of the adjustable means for holding the arms a and b in proper position on their axles c. This is important for the reasons above outlined, but I may effect the same result, as

'far as accommodating target frames of varyby a combined link and shoe m, which is These shoes are slidablealong the cross bars n and are formedwith sockets m and m to receive depending legs 11 of the target frames 2' as clearly indicated iii-Fig. 2. Instead of the axles c, as described in connection with Fig. =1,-I may provide fixed pivot pins 0 on the supports Z which pivots engage insuitalole holes formed centrally in thearms a and 72. of the structure show-n in Fig. 2 is that the target frames 2' may be readily and conveniently removed or replaced and that in removing the target frames the parallel motion linkage: is not temporarily destroyed since the target frames 2' do not as in'Fig; 1, form a necessary part of such linkage. Moreover, the adjustment for various widths of target frames is-readily obtained simply clearly shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 5.

byshifting the shoes 17? along the crossactly in a horizontal position and, as soonas this position has been passed, the center of gravity is shifted from the center to one side of the pivotal axis tending to move the The important feature targets 2' to their extreme positions and hold them there.

Should the described arrangement for holding the targetframes in their extreme positions,be insufficient, as for example on windy days, I provide a hook it suitably connected to one arm, as arm I), which hook may engage the other adjacent arm, as arm a,

. and thus hold the two arms in definite spaced relation. When the arms are thus held, it will be obvious that they cannot swing on their pivots c, sothat the target frames may be effectually held in their extreme positions, as illustrated.

In Figs. 8 and 8 I have illustrated another and preferred means of holding the arms a and b to the axles 0. Such means, consists of a clamp'cl, having a wide base portion suitably formed to engage the square axle on three sides thereof and flanged portions which may be attached to the arms, as a, by suitable bolts and wing nuts 01. There are also provided on the flanged portions of clamp (Z, spaced upstanding flanges d be tween which the arm a is received. The arm a may be held from axial displacement on axle 0 by its engagement in a suitable notch formed in the latter, as clearly indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 6, the detailed construction of a target frame suitable for use with the structure shown in Fig. 1, is shown. It consists of upper and lower spaced parallel cross bars 0 which are rigidly held together by a pair of spaced parallel uprights p. The uprights p are turned edgewise relatively to the cross bars 0 and the ends of the latter and the uprights p are suitably rtised together as shown in Fig. 6 The members 0, and 10 may be further held together and braced and stiffened by corner pieces '1', such as are shown in Figs. 6 and'6". The pivots y' may be set into holes in the uprights p and suitably pinned thereto, as indicated in Fig. 6, or they may and preferably are removably connected to the uprights p in the manner indicated in Fig. 6. Here the pivots j pass through the uprights p and project therebeyond and in such projecting portion of the pivots j is a suitable opening to receive a wedge pin j whereby the pivot pin may be held securely in place in its upright.

A further feature of my invention consists in the provision of the target frame shown in Fig. 7, which is characterized in that it may be readily and conveniently dismantled and packed into small compass for convenience in transportation. This frame comprises spaced parallel cross bars 0' and spaced parallel uprights p but the cross bars and uprights are removably secured together at their ends rather than rigidly as described in connection with Fig. 6. The connection between each end of the lower cross bar 0 and the lower end of the uprights p are similar and onl one need be described.v Referring to Fig. each end of bar 0 is made of reduced thickness to fit, into a slot 8 in the lower end of an uprightrp. This leaves a flange a which may abut one face of the upright 9. The slot s is Wider at its base than at the top toadmit the insertion of abutton t which is formed on the cross bar 0 in spaced relation with the flange u. Above the enlarged portion of slot 8 is a recess owhich extends only part way through the upright 0. The construction is such that the end of bar 0 may be pushed through the slot 8 ofthe upright until flange u abuts one face thereof. The enlarged lower portion of slot 8 permits the passage of button 25 and the slot is longer than the bar 0' is wide so that the latter may be raised in slots. By so doing button If lodges in the recess '0 and effectually interlocks the cross bar and upright. The ends of the upper cross bar 0' are likewise reduced in thickness to enter open ended slots 11) in the upper end of the uprights. This leaves shoulders w against which the uprights may abut. In the reduced end portions of the upper cross bar 0 are rectangular holes 3 and in the outer face of each upright is a rectangular notch 2. A wedge pin 9 is adapted to be passed through each hole 3 and notch 2 to hold the upper cross bar to the uprights p.

The target itself is made of a square of canvas or other suitable flexible material and is indicated in fragmentary form in Fig. 7 by reference letter C. As shown it is secured at opposite ends to the upper and lower cross bars, but is not attached to the uprights 20. Thus, the latter may be slid over the ends of the cross bars in an endwise direction. When this has been done, it will be found that the holes y do not register exactly with notches 2, but lie slightly below the latter. Thus, the pin 9 when driven in place,vas shown in Fig. 7 will raise the upper cross bar and pull the lower cross bar upwardly until buttons 23 engage in recesses 42. Thus, the two pins 9 effectually hold the frame in assembled relation and upon withdrawal of the pins the frame may be 001- lapsed in an obvious manner. The canvas 0 may then be rolled up upon one of the cross bars 0 and the entire frame can be packed into very small space to facilitate transportation.

The invention has been disclosed herein for illustrative purposes, but the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

What I claim is,

1.. In an apparatus of the class described, spaced parallel uprights, a pair of parallel and coextensive bars adjacent each upright and separately and pivotally supported therefrom at their mid points, a pair of target frames disposed between and pivot- &

ally supported at separate points to the for- Ward and rearward end portions of said pairs of parallel bars, whereby the bars are constrained to swing in parallelism and said frames may be moved to raised, lowered or intermediate positions while maintained in parallel planes, and detachable means to connect the bars of one pair and hold them'in a definite spaced relation, whereby swinging movement of the target frames may be prevented When desired.

2. In combination, spaced target frames, pairs of parallel bars'pivotally connected to each frame, and means'pivotally supporting 15 said bars intermediate the targets so that the bar's and targets swing in parallelism, each frame comprising upright and cross bars arranged in spaced parallel relation, means provided at each end of the cross bars to interlock With an endof an upright bar, removable means tohold said bars in interlockedpositioli, a flexible target secured only to one pair of parallel bars and held in stretchedflrelation by the'other pair of bars,

all constructed and arranged so that each target frame may be collapsed and packed into'small compass;

, Dated this 8th day of April, 1918, at e Ely Place, Dublin;

CHAS.- REID. Witness: 7

THOMAS W. SWEE EY:

601113 of thirpaten't may be obtained for five cents earzzh, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D G." 

